diff --git a/encrypt_decrypt.go b/encrypt_decrypt.go
index b67391f..452555b 100644
--- a/encrypt_decrypt.go
+++ b/encrypt_decrypt.go
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ var decrypt = &cli.Command{
 
 			res, err := kr.Decrypt(ctx, ciphertext, source)
 			if err != nil {
-				return fmt.Errorf("failed to encrypt: %w", err)
+				return fmt.Errorf("failed to decrypt: %w", err)
 			}
 			stdout(res)
 		}
diff --git a/gift.go b/gift.go
index d80bfed..a72eef2 100644
--- a/gift.go
+++ b/gift.go
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ a decoupled key (if it has been created or received with "nak dekey" previously)
 				eSec, has, err := getDecoupledEncryptionSecretKey(ctx, configPath, receiver)
 				if has {
 					if err != nil {
-						return fmt.Errorf("our decoupled encryption key exists, but we failed to get it: %w; call `nak dekey` to attempt a fix or call this again with --use-direct to bypass", err)
+						return fmt.Errorf("receiver's decoupled encryption key exists, but we failed to get it: %w; call `nak dekey` to attempt a fix or call this again with --use-direct to bypass", err)
 					}
 					ciphers = append(ciphers, kr)
 					ciphers[0] = keyer.NewPlainKeySigner(eSec) // pub decoupled key first
@@ -209,9 +209,12 @@ a decoupled key (if it has been created or received with "nak dekey" previously)
 					for c, potentialCipher := range ciphers {
 						switch c {
 						case 0:
-							log("- trying the receiver's decoupled encryption key %s\n", color.CyanString(eSec.Public().Hex()))
+							if eSec.Public() == nostr.ZeroPK {
+								continue
+							}
+							log("- trying receiver's decoupled encryption key %s\n", color.CyanString(eSec.Public().Hex()))
 						case 1:
-							log("- trying the receiver's identity key %s\n", color.CyanString(receiver.Hex()))
+							log("- trying receiver's identity key %s\n", color.CyanString(receiver.Hex()))
 						}
 
 						sealj, thisErr := potentialCipher.Decrypt(ctx, wrap.Content, wrap.PubKey)
@@ -247,11 +250,15 @@ a decoupled key (if it has been created or received with "nak dekey" previously)
 					var rumor nostr.Event
 					err = nil
 					for s, senderEncryptionPublicKey := range senderEncryptionPublicKeys {
+						if senderEncryptionPublicKey == nostr.ZeroPK {
+							continue
+						}
+
 						switch s {
 						case 0:
-							log("- trying the sender's decoupled encryption public key %s\n", color.CyanString(senderEncryptionPublicKey.Hex()))
+							log("- trying sender's decoupled encryption public key %s\n", color.CyanString(senderEncryptionPublicKey.Hex()))
 						case 1:
-							log("- trying the sender's identity public key %s\n", color.CyanString(senderEncryptionPublicKey.Hex()))
+							log("- trying sender's identity public key %s\n", color.CyanString(senderEncryptionPublicKey.Hex()))
 						}
 
 						rumorj, thisErr := cipher.Decrypt(ctx, seal.Content, senderEncryptionPublicKey)
diff --git a/helpers.go b/helpers.go
index cee604f..1151591 100644
--- a/helpers.go
+++ b/helpers.go
@@ -86,7 +86,9 @@ func getJsonsOrBlank() iter.Seq[string] {
 		})
 
 		if !hasStdin {
-			yield("{}")
+			if !yield("{}") {
+				return
+			}
 		}
 
 		if finalJsonErr != nil {
@@ -105,7 +107,9 @@ func getStdinLinesOrBlank() iter.Seq[string] {
 		})
 
 		if !hasStdin {
-			yield("")
+			if !yield("") {
+				return
+			}
 		}
 	}
 }